Mark Harris — Senator Harris opens by asking about uses of the lake beyond tourism and recreation, and the witness responds by addressing recreational and fishing uses of the lake.
Mark Harris — The speaker thanked Senator Hart for having seen the project examples.
Mark Harris — Mentioned as someone familiar with Harriman State Park.
Mark Harris — Senator Harris is addressed and then asks whether snow machine registration revenue is declining because of low snow. Director Buxton responds to Harris on the same issue, discussing snowmobile registration revenue in relation to snow conditions.
James Keating — James Keating was introduced as the next appointee and identified himself as Jim Keating from Haley, Idaho, seeking reappointment to the Idaho Parks and Recreation Department board. He said he has served on the board for about a year, described his long connection to Idaho and appreciation for its outdoor opportunities, and explained that he wants to continue contributing to the stewardship of the state’s parks. He also noted that his private-sector, public-sector, and high-tech background would help him bring value to the department.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Cook questioned Mr. Keating about his qualifications and readiness for the Parks and Rec Agency role, first asking whether his LiquidSpace experience would be helpful and then asking what he sees as the agency’s biggest challenge and how he would address it.
Jim Guthrie — Addressed respectfully in response to his question about business and development.
Jim Guthrie — Addressed as the senator asking questions about overcrowding and lake use.
Jim Guthrie — Acknowledges the witness and transitions to his question.
Jim Guthrie — Asks whether disputed lake-level timing is tied to fish habitat or a fixed seasonal schedule.
Jim Guthrie — Mentioned jokingly as someone who may dislike earlier fishing access.
Jim Guthrie — Referenced in a comment about people who prefer solitude on the lake.
Jim Guthrie — The chair closes questioning and thanks the witness; exact chair identity is not explicit in this excerpt.
Jim Guthrie — Asked about the breakdown of mining on different land ownership types and later questioned the extent of changes made after public input.
Jim Guthrie — Questioned why there was significant public interest but no substantial changes.
Mr. Keating — Mr. Keating discussed his qualifications for serving the agency, citing his experience as COO of LiquidSpace and his broader management background. He then addressed key challenges facing the Parks and Recreation agency, including demand exceeding capacity, deferred maintenance, and the need for operational investments such as smarter reservation systems and land investment. The exchange concluded with the end of questioning and his thanks to the committee after being told the nomination would be voted on at the next meeting.
Ford Alcessor — Ford Alcessor, an attorney in Priest River and chair of the Lakes Commission, presented the Lake Pend Oreille water management economic analysis. He argued that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bonneville Power lake-level management harms the local economy, using seasonal boating access as an example and emphasizing that Pend Oreille is often unusable until late June or July. He said the commission and the University of Idaho helped produce the study, credited Professors Peterson and Nodrow with managing the research, and highlighted the study’s headline finding that the Panhandle loses about $40 million annually due to Corps management. He further explained that the economic harm is broad, affecting workers, retailers, marinas, tourism, and the overall North Idaho economy, and compared the loss to a hospital operating with no staff for seven months of the year.
Treg Bernt — Addressed as chairman of the commission.
Phil Hart — Addressed as vice chairman of the commission.
Mark Sauter — Praised as a legislative advocate for Lake Pend Oreille and for helping obtain the memorial.
Doug Okuniewicz — Doug Okuniewicz participates in a discussion about the proposal to keep lake/pool levels higher for additional days and its impact on lake users. He asks about how the request would affect regular users, then continues the exchange by acknowledging the concerns of others. He later explains his own preference for less crowded lake use, notes that he can usually launch his fishing boat year-round, expresses sympathy for local businesses, and says he is trying to find the right balance between recreational access and business interests.
Mr. Samanko — Thanked for helping put the study together.
Molly McCann — Molly McCann is introduced as the Lakes Commission's executive director and noted as being present and available to answer questions.
Shelly — Said to know how to find the commission and help track them down for answers.
Chairman Alcessor — Addressed as the witness responding to questions.
Mr. Alcessor — Mr. Alcessor explains that if people have confidence in a full recreational season on Pend Oreille Lake, it would change how the lake is used, expanding activity beyond casual picnics toward more sustained recreational uses such as fishing.
Andrew Smith — Introduces himself as Resource Protection Assistance Bureau Chief with the Idaho Department of Lands and presents the pending rule docket.
Marty Mensinger — Marty Mensinger, program manager of Navigable Waterways at the Idaho Department of Lands, introduced himself and began his testimony to the committee, explaining the purpose and structure of the pending fee rule review presentation.
Ms. Mensinger — Ms. Mensinger was asked whether a higher pool level would affect the approval process, and she responded that it would not really impact the process; at most, it would likely just shift applications earlier without changing workflow.
Ron Taylor — Seconded the motion.
Lawson Tate — Introduced himself as the rights-of-way program manager at the Idaho Department of Lands.
Brant Stiegers — Commented that compensation for increased property value from an easement is common practice but asked whether it would be codified.
Mr. Tate — Mr. Tate responded to a question by saying the fiscal impact of eliminating the fee would be minimal, estimating it at less than $2,000 to $3,000 per year. The committee then asked whether there were any further questions for him before proceeding to a motion.
Director Buxton — Called forward to provide the agency update.
Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation — Introduces themself as the director, but the name is not clearly captured in this line.
Susan Buckston — Identifies herself as the director of the Department of Parks and Recreation and notes she also spoke earlier before JFAC.
Amy Manning — Amy Manning was introduced as present at the meeting and identified as representing District 5, covering the Bear Lake, Pocatello, and American Falls area.
Chuck Rody — Identified as the chairman and noted to be working with the Forest Service and briefly leaving for another meeting.
Van Burtenshaw — The speaker references Senator Van Orden as someone familiar with Harriman State Park and suggests she can speak to the quality of the renovated facility there.
James Woodward — Praised as a legislative advocate for Lake Pend Oreille and for helping obtain the memorial.
Kevin Cook — Senator Cook was thanked and praised, and Marley Johnson responded that the experience changed her perspective on state politics and influenced her goals.
Kevin Cook — Senator Cook asked Keating about 'liquid space' and its relevance to the assignment.
Kevin Cook — Seconded the motion to approve the docket.
Kevin Cook — The speaker thanked Senator Cook for having seen the project examples.
Mark Harris — Senator Harris seconded the motion.
Marley Johnson — Marley Johnson was introduced as the committee page and invited to the podium, where she thanked the chairman and senators and shared her plans to return to school, graduate in May, attend a local flight school over the summer, and possibly pursue an aviation degree.
James Woodward — Senator Woodward was mentioned in a joking aside as being right behind the speaker and as someone who might loan out his plane if treated nicely.